• • •

After training that day, Akila stayed in the training room to think. Now that she knew what her childhood must've been like, she tried to remember it. She recalled her mother's sweet face peering down into her crib, the sound of her voice singing her to sleep. Everything that she'd ever known of her childhood was bright and happy. Yet from the description she was given of the Shredder and his lair, she should've been able to remember being there, right?

"You must have many questions," Splinter's voice broke the thick silence of the training room.

Akila turned to meet his eyes. "I just don't understand," she explained in a frustrated tone, "if I was brought up by Shredder, why can't I remember? All I remember are happy memories."

Splinter thought for a moment before suggesting, "Akila, it may be that these memories you have are false; created to mask your true upbringing."

"But why? Why would the Shredder want me to forget my childhood?" She asked desperately.

Splinter frowned in sympathy. "We might never know," he admitted, "but if we can restore your memories, an answer may follow." Splinter then sat on the ground and gestured for Akila to sit as well. "Meditation can be used for more than to relax one's mind," he explained, "if you can relax your mind and release all of your stress, let go of your false past, perhaps you can break away the barrier in your head."

And so Akila and Master Splinter began to meditate. Akila thought of her father's cruelty and let all of her anger for him subside. She relaxed herself until she felt as if she were no longer inside of her own body. In a matter of minutes, Akila slipped into a dream-like state of mind.

Akila found herself in a large, dark room, lit only by the light of the crescent moon. A tall, muscular man stood before her, his back turned to her. Slowly, Akila moved around the man to see his face. He peered down into his arms where a small baby was sleeping.

Akila gasped as she noticed the scars that covered the man's face and she recalled how the Shredder had quite similar scars. Suddenly, the baby woke up and began to cry. "Shhh," the man whispered, "go back to sleep, Akila."

At his words, Akila felt her heart jump; she was looking at herself as a baby. But soon the man disappeared, along with the baby. Now, still in the same room Akila witnessed a young child enter the room. "Akila," called the same deep voice as before, "come here."

Akila watched the five-year-old girl run over toward the voice. She smiled happily, oblivious to the fact that this man was a monster. It was the same, scarred man as before. But then he called a name that she had not expected to hear. "Edward!"

Edward, the name of her drunk father. Akila stood frozen as a younger, sober version of her father walked out to meet the Shredder. It took all of her strength not to break down and cry at the sight of how healthy he used to be. "Yes, Master?" He answered.

"I have a favor to ask of you," the Shredder began, "take Akila away; I will not have her getting hurt here. This is no place for a child."

"But Master Shredder, she will remember," Edward argued.

"Then I will take her memories," the man said with a cold look on his face. Edward was silent; he looked horrified by the suggestion. "Do not tell me you've stopped caring for this child?"

Edward's eyes widened, "of course I care for her, I love her like she is my own daughter."

Akila felt chills run down her back; what did that mean? Was Edward not her true father? "Good," Shredder spoke, "because from now on, until I say, she will be your daughter. Raise her, give her a normal childhood, and return her when she is ready."

"Yes, Master," Edward obediently bowed. But he hesitated before leaving. " And...what of Nadia..?"

Shredder's gaze hardened. "Nadia is my wife," he growled, "she doesn't love you." Then everything went black.

Akila gasped loudly as she came back to reality. Sweat dripped down her face and bare arms. In front of her sat Splinter, Leo, and Donnie all watching her in suspence. There was worry in the blue turtle's ocean eyes. Akila was out of breath.

"I take it you remembered something," Master Splinter guessed in a serious tone. He then turned to Leo, "please, take her somewhere to rest."

Leo nodded, complying immediately, "of course." He then crawled over to Akila. "Akila, do you think you can walk?" He stood and hoisted her up, but her legs wobbled and she fell right into Leo's chest.

Leo felt his face heat up, but he ignored his embarrassment and lifted Akila bridal style. Akila, now fading in and out of consciousness, focused her gaze on Leo's determined face. It was the last thing she saw before going unconscious.

• • •

Akila woke to find the living room couch ten times more comfortable. It wasn't until she opened her eyes that she realized that she was not on the couch, but in a bed. She looked around until her eyes landed on Leo, who was sitting in a chair at her side, asleep. Akila smiled warmly, sat up, and poked his cheek.

Leo's eyes flickered open and his gaze fell upon Akila. Immediately, a wide smile crossed his face and he pulled her into a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay," he sighed.

Akila hesitated, but hugged Leo back; she still wasn't used to such physical contact, but she welcomed it. She let her cheek rest on his neck as she recalled her memories. Suddenly, she was crying. She managed to at least keep from making any noise, but Leo felt her tears drip down his shoulder and held her tighter. "It's okay," he comforted, "you can cry, I'll stay with you."

But Akila lifted her head. She sniffled and looked into Leo's wide blue eyes, only inches from her face. "No, you don't understand," she tried to tell him, "you were right; it was the Shredder who raised me."